The AusAID Response to Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia

The AusAID Response to Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia
Melinda Sutherland
Manager Enhanced Cooperation Program Unit
Strategy and Liaison Section
PNG Branch
AusAID
Melinda.Sutherland@ausaid.gov.au
Trafficking of people across national and international borders for forced labour and sexually
exploitative situations has become the second most lucrative crime globally, second only to the drug
trade. The United States Department of State estimates that between 800,000 and 900,000 persons are
trafficked per annum, of whom 80 per cent are women and 50 percent are children. 1 An Australian
Institute of Family Studies report on Trafficking in Women for Sexual Exploitation also states that 70
per cent of victims are trafficked for sexual exploitation. 2 Moreover, trafficking is said to generate
between US$7 and US$10 billion annually for traffickers (UN estimates). 3 Asia is regarded as a major
hub for trafficking in women for sexual slavery, and the problem has become a major regional issue for
Australia.
Initially, trafficking was largely researched by activists from the feminist movement, who
managed to place it on the ‘violence against women’ agenda of international and national policy
makers. The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women
and Children was adopted in 2000 and entered into force on 25 December 2003. Australia signed the
Protocol on 11 December 2002 4 and ratified the protocol in September 2005 5 . The United States
Department of State through its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report (since 2000), submits a
report each year to the US Congress on foreign governments’ efforts to eliminate severe forms of
trafficking in persons. A country that fails to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of
trafficking in persons receives a "Tier 3" ranking. In assessing foreign governments’ efforts, the TIP
Report highlights the "three P’s" — prosecution, protection, and prevention. But a victim-centered
approach to trafficking requires governments to address the "three R’s" — rescue, rehabilitation, and
reintegration. 6
Australia (which has a “Tier 1” ranking –that is, it fully complies with the minimum standards
required) is a prominent leader in many regional anti-trafficking projects. It prosecutes traffickingrelated
offences under provisions in the Commonwealth Criminal Code, the Crimes Act and the
Migration Act. The Australian government also provides funding to Non-governmental Organisations
(NGOs) and service providers to care for, and assist trafficking victims. Additionally, the Government
has an extensive international human trafficking program administered through the Australian Agency
1 The United States Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2006,
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2006/65983.htm, accessed 1 May 2007
2 Australian Institute of Family Studies report on Trafficking in women for Sexual Exploitation,
http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/briefing/b5.html, accessed 1 May 2007
3 Australian Institute of Family Studies report on Trafficking in women for Sexual Exploitation,
http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/briefing/b5.html, accessed 1 May 2007
4 Australian Institute of Family Studies report on Trafficking in women for Sexual Exploitation,
http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/briefing/b5.html, accessed 1 May 2007
5 Australia Ratifies the UN People Trafficking Protocol, media release by Senator the Hon. Christopher Ellison –
Minister for Justice and Customs, 15 September 2005
6 The United States Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2006,
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2006/65983.htm, accessed 1 May 2007
Melinda Sutherland 91

for International Development (AusAID). Australia’s overseas aid package is designed to support
several developing countries in the region to overcome the deplorable trade in human beings and
particularly focuses on countries in the Mekong subregion - Cambodia, China (Yunnan Province), Lao
People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), Burma (Myanmar), Thailand and Vietnam. It has provided
A$12 million (2004-7) through AusAID for its Asia Regional Cooperation to Prevent People
Trafficking project (ARCPPT). Through this project, the Australian government enhances capabilities
of governments in prevention and support activities for victims of trafficking.
Australia and anti-trafficking initiatives in the region
AusAID is the government agency with the primary responsibility for administering official
development assistance overseas. AusAID advises the Government on development policy and
manages Australian development cooperation programs designed to achieve broad-based growth,
stability and effective governance, particularly in the Asia- Pacific region. The objective of Australia’s
overseas aid program is to assist developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable
development, in line with Australia’s national interest. 7 This paper documents the activities of AusAID
in this regard, focussing on the ARCPPT Project, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
Return and Reintegration of Trafficked Women and Children Project, the IOM Pilot Thai Returnees
Project, a number of Child Wise Tourism Projects, and the upcoming Asia Regional Trafficking in
Persons (ARTIP) Project. As well, this paper documents AusAIDs assessment of a project design
document for the Timor-Leste IOM/Alola Foundation - Halt Exploitation and Learn to Prosecute
(HELP) Counter-Trafficking Project.
At the dawn of the new millennium, the Australian Government recognised that Australia was
not immune from the problems that neighbouring countries are experiencing in human trafficking. In
2003 the Government committed A$20 million over a period of four years to combat the problem of
human trafficking nationally. 8 Australia uses a whole-of-government approach to addresses trafficking
through the coordinated efforts of several government agencies. In June 2004 Ministers from five
federal government agencies, representing law, justice, foreign affairs, immigration and women’s
affairs, released a national Action Plan to Eradicate Trafficking in Persons, providing details of
Australia’s national commitment to combat trafficking. 9
Funding for the national package is separate from the significant funds provided to developing
countries in the region through official development assistance. AusAIDs human trafficking program is
administered through the Asia Transboundary Section. The Asia Transboundary Section focuses on
international development issues that are not restricted or confined to borders and are transnational by
nature. Other transboundary activities administered by the section include HIV/AIDS prevention;
pandemic preparedness for diseases such as avian influenza; counterterrorism measures; and the trade in
illegal drugs.
Australia’s anti-trafficking activities in Southeast Asia adopt a holistic approach. All projects
address both adult women and child victims of trafficking, and do not differentiate between sex
trafficking and other forms of trafficking such as labour exploitation. Australian assistance is targeted at
enhancing the capabilities of organisations and individuals to support trafficking victims, especially
women. The assistance includes improved sub-regional and national communication and cooperation
efforts, particularly through legal, administrative, policy and advocacy measures.
7 Australian Aid: Promoting Growth and Stability - White Paper on the Australian Government's overseas aid
program,, AusAID 2007, page (x)
8 Australian Institute of Family Studies report on Trafficking in women for Sexual Exploitation,
http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/briefing/b5.html, accessed 1 May 2007
9 Millar Caroline 2006, Combating Trafficking In Persons: Australian Approaches to National and Regional
Cooperation, Journal of International and Comparative Law special edition (Spring 2006), page 1
UNEAC Asia Papers No. 19 2007 92

AusAID recognises that a range of activities are required to prevent the trafficking of women
and children, such as warning potential victims about trafficking activities, enhancing country capacity
enabling investigations to be successfully conducted, ensuring the existence of appropriate and effective
laws to enable suspected offenders to be charged, and ensuring investigating and prosecuting agencies
are suitably skilled and resourced to facilitate successful prosecutions. Supporting the return and
successful reintegration of trafficking victims is similarly complex, and involves significant efforts to
encourage victims to access available services, as well as ensuring that governments, non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) and other relevant bodies have sufficient capacity to provide appropriate services
to ensure successful reintegration.
Asia Regional Cooperation to Prevent People Trafficking Project (ARCPPT)
At present the ARCPPT is the largest anti-trafficking project funded by AusAID. The regional
project was valued at A$12 million and extended over 3 years (March 2003 to August 2006). The
project’s aims were to contribute to the prevention of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. Partner
Governments included Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Burma (Myanmar). While these countries
have remained the primary geographical focus of ARCPPT, some activities have also been conducted in
Indonesia and, to a lesser extent, in China, Vietnam and the Philippines. This project was fully funded
by AusAID and was implemented by CARDNO (ACIL), a well known company conducting a number
of projects in the development sector.
ARCPPTs longer-term objectives are to reduce the impunity of trafficking offenders and secure
justice for victims. The project aims to build on the work that is already being done in the field and to
tailor efforts specifically to meet individual country needs. It attempts to strengthen regional
cooperation and legal policy frameworks through identified ASEAN + China (Yunnan Province)
national counterpart points of contact, and to build national and regional capacity to address human
trafficking. ARCPPT provides support in four areas:
• Support to specialist law enforcement
Specialist anti-trafficking units have been established in national counterpart law enforcement
agencies in all ARCPPT countries The Project is building on this new impetus by providing access to
international best practice on combating trafficking through strengthened law enforcement. The project
supports strategies to develop communication and collaboration between the specialist anti-trafficking
units across national borders. It is expected that, over time, the units will become ‘anchor points’ for
successful national and regional strategies against traffickers.
• Support to the broader criminal justice process
Outside the specialist law enforcement units, ARCPPT provides assistance and support to other
relevant parts of the criminal justice system to ensure that improvements are not adversely affected by
ongoing weaknesses elsewhere in the criminal justice system. The project support to other parts of the
criminal justice systems of each country is provided where required, on the basis of a detailed
assessment of needs and capacities. For example, support for cooperation and information exchanges
between different components of the criminal justice system is required in some countries, while others
may require support for law reform.
• Cooperation between the criminal justice process and victim support agencies
ARCPPT recognises the vital role that victims play in securing prosecutions and the importance
of victim support agencies in providing support to trafficking victims. The project facilitates and
promotes cooperation and collaboration between the law enforcement agencies and the victim support
agencies. The project also promotes transnational collaboration and cooperation between the victim
support agencies in all of the project countries.
•Strengthened regional cooperation
In addition to the regional and transboundary activities, ARCPPT initiates activities aimed at
promoting closer cooperation and collaboration between project countries and other member countries
Melinda Sutherland 93

of ASEAN + China. Activities include support for the development and implementation of Memoranda
of Understanding (MOUs) and other formal cooperation agreements that promote cooperation and
collaboration amongst the governments. 10
ARCPPT also works closely with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Secretariat (ASEC) on issues and activities of common interest relating to human trafficking. Through
the ASEC, ARCPPT also works closely with the Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Organised
Crime (SOMTC). The ARCPPT has achieved significant progress in each project country. 11 A summary
of achievements to date is provided in Appendix A. The Project received a positive mid-term-review
that was independently conducted in 2004. Subject to Ministerial approval, it is anticipated that a
follow-on project, described further below, will be tendered by AusAID to build on the achievements of
the ARCPPT in the current project countries and expand activities to other countries in the region.
Return and Reintegration of Victims
AusAID funds two return and reintegration activities, Phase I and II of the IOM Return and
Reintegration of Trafficked Women and Children and the Thai Returnees Pilot Project. Both activities
are delivered through the IOM. The IOM has extensive global experience in assisting with the return
and reintegration of trafficking victims, and is responsible for implementing the Mekong-based regional
return and reintegration activity.
Phase I and II of IOM Return and Reintegration of Trafficked Women and Children
Phase I and II of this project aim to establish sustainable support mechanisms and structures for
the identification, return, recovery and integration of victims in and between selected Mekong
countries. Phase I (2000-2004) was fully funded by Australia and was valued at approximatelyA$4.7
million. The project is currently in Phase II (March 2004 – February 2007) Phase II is primarily funded
by the US Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. Australian assistance to this phase is
currently valued at approximately A$665,000. The goal of the Phase II is to develop sustainable support
mechanisms and structures for the identification, return, recovery and integration of victims of
trafficking within government and NGO agencies in and between selected countries in the Mekong
region such as Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar) and Lao PDR. The project aims to
strengthen the ability of partners involved, both government and non-governmental, to provide
assistance to victims and promote necessary regional cooperation to counter trafficking through legal,
administrative, policy and advocacy measures. AusAIDs funding is specifically used to strengthen the
capacity of government agencies, organisations and NGOs in Lao PDR and Burma (Myanmar) to
provide recovery, orderly return and integration assistance for trafficked women and children, and to
cooperate nationally and across borders between sending and receiving countries on issues related to
return and integration of victims of trafficking. 12 According to progress reports submitted by IOM to
AusAID 13 , from September 2000 to February 2006 the Regional Return and Reintegration initiative has
assisted 1511 trafficking victims in the Mekong region. Since Phase II commenced, the project has
supported 626 victims with their return and reintegration. Of this group, 377 women and children from
Lao PDR and Burma (Myanmar) received assistance.
Thai Returnees Pilot Project
The IOM project for Thai returnees is a pilot project for victims identified in Australia returning
to Thailand. AusAID recently contracted IOM to develop and manage the pilot project from Thailand.
The pilot project between Australia and Thailand was developed on the basis that the majority of
victims located in Australia so far have been Thai. This activity recognises that Thailand has gained
10 Asia Regional Cooperation to Prevent People Trafficking: Annual Plan 2005-2006 approved by AusAID, 2005,
Page 27
11 Asia Regional Cooperation to Prevent People Trafficking: Activity Completion Report to AusAID, 2006
12 Return and Reintegration of Trafficked Women and Children – Phase II Progress Report to AusAID, 2006, p.3
13 Return and Reintegration of Trafficked Women and Children – Phase II Progress Report to AusAID, 2006, p.4
UNEAC Asia Papers No. 19 2007 94

considerable experience in assisting Thai trafficking victims over the past decade and has worked
steadily to improve its domestic response to trafficking.
Thailand has the necessary legal and policy framework as well as a considerable bureaucracy
and a strong network of NGOs working on the prevention of trafficking, in association with the
Government. For example, the Department of Social Development and Welfare operates a significant
number of trafficking shelters for victims throughout Thailand to provide support and care for internal
and international returnees. 14
The new project will focus on targeting three groups of trafficking victims, namely, those
•Identified victims of trafficking or potential victims who are willing to cooperate with investigating
agencies and who have consented to their information being shared with the Thai Government’s
representation in Australia (that is, those willing to cooperate with Govt of Australia and Thailand);
•Identified victims of trafficking or potential victims who are willing to cooperate with investigating
agencies, but who do not consent to their information being shared with the Thai Government’s
representation in Australia (that is, those willing to cooperate with Govt of Australia but not Thailand);
and
•Identified victims of trafficking or potential victims who do not want to cooperate with investigating
authorities and who do not give consent to their information being shared with Thai Government
representatives in Australia (that is, those unwilling to cooperate with either Government).
Those in the second and third categories are of particular concern, as the obligation to access
reintegration assistance rests on their own initiative following return. The new program will undertake a
number of activities to encourage victims to seek reintegration assistance. The activities include
strengthening information dissemination and peer support networks; improving access to vocational
training and jobs-referrals; and providing access to legal services. A targeted information campaign
involving the distribution of print materials will also be conducted.
For victims who choose to return home without support, a nominal amount of money equivalent
to approximately one month’s rent will be provided through the IOM. There is one condition of
accessing this support, namely that the returning victim must initiate contact with a specified NGO to
collect the money. This will enable the NGO to advise the returnee on the different support services
available, and will serve as encouragement for the victims to seek reintegration support.
While this project is still being put in place, return and reintegration arrangements are
coordinated for Thai trafficking victims in Australia through the Australian Federal Police and the
Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Office for Women).
Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs contracted a company,
Southern Edge Training, to facilitate victim return and reintegration as a component of Australia’s
national response to human trafficking.
Child Wise Projects
Child Wise Project: Preventing the Sexual Exploitation of Children in ASEAN Tourism Destinations
through Community and Professional Education
This two year regional Project aims to establish “Child Wise Tourism” Principles in the work of
National Tourism Administrations of developing countries so that they continue to work regionally in
the prevention of child sex tourism. AusAID is funding the $590,000 Project and it will run from
January 2005 to January 2007. This is a follow-on project that modified the previous focus to reduce the
vulnerability of children as a result of the Tsunami and in the longer-term as tourists begin to return to
14 IOM Project Design Document for the Regional Pilot Project for Returning Victims of Trafficking from
Australia to Thailand, AusAID 2006, p.5
Melinda Sutherland 95

the affected countries. Participating countries include Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines,
Indonesia, Lao PDR and Burma (Myanmar). 15
Child Wise Project: Child Wise ASEAN Regional Education Campaign
According to AusAIDs internal statistics, Child Wise (ECPAT) has received more than $1.45
million since 1994 through AusAID as part of the Australian Government’s efforts to build institutional
and legal capacity in the region to fight child sex crime. 16
An advertising campaign has been developed to combat child sex tourism in ASEAN countries.
The campaign is targeted at tourists and those working in the tourism sector. The advertising will
encourage locals to turn in suspected child sex offenders and the campaign will appear in prime tourist
destinations including hotels, airlines, internet cafes, travel agencies, taxis and tuk tuks. AusAID is
contributing $50,000 for the production and purchase of advertising materials for the ASEAN countries.
The ASEAN countries are self-funding the running campaign within their respective countries utilising
the materials provided by Child Wise. 17
Future AusAID Trafficking Projects
In the future, AusAID may expand its pilot Thai Returnees project from Thailand to other
Southeast Asian countries, depending on whether victim demographics in Australia change over time.
AusAID is likely to continue funding for Child-Wise activities to prevent the sexual exploitation of
children in ASEAN tourism destinations through community and professional education activities.
AusAID will continue to fund other bilateral projects that protect women and children from
problems that lead to trafficking, abuse and exploitation. For example, a number of child protection
projects in the region, not detailed in this paper, are currently funded by AusAID. 18 AusAID is also
providing significant support to developing countries in Asia and the Pacific to strengthen law and
justice institutions and systems. 19
Asia Regional Trafficking In Persons (ARTIP) Project
AusAID intends on expanding on the achievements of the ARCPPT project into other ASEAN
countries in a separate follow-on project. In 2005 a new, five year $21 million project known as the
Asia Regional Trafficking in Persons (ARTIP) Project was designed to follow-on from ARCPPT
without a gap. 20 A handover from ARCPPT to ARTIP will be conducted in August 2006. ARTIP will
assist countries in the Asia region to tackle the problem of human trafficking by expanding on the
building blocks laid by the current project.
The goal of the new project will be expanded to contribute to the prevention of human
trafficking in the Asia Region, not just the countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. The purpose of
the Project will be to be facilitate a more effective and coordinated approach to people trafficking by
criminal justice systems of participating national governments in the Asia. Partner countries in the
project will include Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar) & Indonesia. The project will
commence activities in partner countries when they formally agree to the project being conducted in
15 Preventing the Sexual Exploitation of Children in ASEAN Tourism Destinations through Community and
Professional Education: Child Wise Annual Progress Report Year 2 to AusAID, February 2006, page 3
16 This figure is based on internal statistics provided by AusAID to another government department on 6 May
2005.
17 Turn a Child-Sex Tourist into an Ex-Tourist: A Proposal to Seek Australian Government Funding to Support a
Public Education Campaign to Support Children, November 2005, page 5
18 People Trafficking and Child Exploitation: Australia's Aid Program Response,
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/country/peopletraffick.cfm, accessed 1 May 2007
19 Australian Aid: Promoting Growth and Stability - White Paper on the Australian Government's overseas aid
program, AusAID 2007, http://www.ausaid.gov.au/publications/whitepaper/s5.htm#5.2, accessed 1 May 2007
20 Project Design Document: Asia Regional Trafficking In Persons, AusAID 2006, p1
UNEAC Asia Papers No. 19 2007 96

their country. ARTIP will expand to include other ASEAN countries at a rate of no more than one per
year.
The Project will be comprised of the following five components: Strengthened specialist and
general law enforcement responses to trafficking; Strengthened judicial and prosecutorial responses to
trafficking; Enhanced policy, legal, research and outreach capability; Engagement of new Project and
partner countries; and Project management. 21
The concept of a follow-on activity originated during the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of
ARCPPT in November 2004, where a continuation of project activities was recommended. AusAID
subsequently contracted CARDNO (ACIL) to prepare a project design document. Fieldwork for the
design was conducted during July/August 2005. Prior to agreeing to the project design, AusAID
conducted a rigorous appraisal process that included both internal and external evaluation by specialists
in the fields of human trafficking, gender, law and justice, relevant country programs, and project
design etc.
ARTIP is designed for five years, with continuation of the Project after the third year subject to
the findings of an independent mid-term review (MTR). The main issues in designing ARTIP were to
deepen and broaden the current focus while maintaining quality, manage geographical expansion
without compromising prior achievements, promote sustainability through increased counterpart
responsibility, make the most effective use of long and short-term technical expertise, improve
cooperation with ASEAN and promote donor coordination including common standards. 22
ARTIP has been designed to build on ARCPPTs work that strengthened the criminal justice
responses to trafficking at national and regional levels. 23 The focus on front line law enforcement will
be continued but there is more attention to building prosecutorial and judicial capacities. Support to the
legal/regulatory framework will broaden to include, for example, labour exploitation, money
laundering, extra-territorial provisions of trafficking laws, extradition and mutual legal assistance
mechanisms. ARTIP will use its influence, expertise and networks to facilitate cutting edge research
and promote donor involvement and coordination. ARTIP will also strengthen links with ASEAN to
further develop the ASEAN Secretariat and the Senior Official’s Meeting on Transnational Crime
capacities to progress the issue of trafficking. ARTIP will focus on supporting ASEAN implementation
of its own policies and work plans.
Geographically, ARTIP will start with an initial core group of five countries comprised of the
ARCPPT four plus Indonesia. The project design document 24 has identified Indonesia as a core country
because of its previous, highly productive links with ARCPPT; the recent establishment of an antitrafficking
unit in the Indonesia National Police; the existence of a strong collaborative support
structure involving the International Organisation for Migration; its membership of ASEAN and finally,
a severe and worsening internal and transboundary trafficking problem that increasingly involves other
countries in the region. It is intended that expansion beyond this core group will be graduated and
differentiated to preserve achievements secured through ARCPPT. It is expected that expansion will be
based on detailed, medium-term assessments using a range of mechanisms including trial activities.
ASEAN countries that are not eligible to receive Australian Overseas Development Assistance,
such as Malaysia, will be involved in ARTIP through a range of strategic activities to link these
countries to members through strengthening bilateral relationships. Stronger regional integration will be
promoted along with greater sustainability, increased cost-effectiveness, greater financial control and
accountability, and increased involvement of national counterparts.
21 Project Design Document: Asia Regional Trafficking In Persons, AusAID 2006, p3-4
22 Project Design Document: Asia Regional Trafficking In Persons, AusAID 2006, p2
23 Project Design Document: Asia Regional Trafficking In Persons, AusAID 2006, p1
24 Project Design Document: Asia Regional Trafficking In Persons, AusAID 2006, p3
Melinda Sutherland 97

ARTIP will be managed and will operate from a regional office in Bangkok. A satellite office
will be established in Jakarta to manage national, sub-regional and ASEAN aspects of project
implementation. Each core country will have a country office located within the main counterpart
agency. The country office will support and work closely with national Technical Working Groups
established by counterparts to guide project implementation at the national level. A dedicated
international technical adviser will be assigned to each country office to ensure effective functioning of
the Technical Working Groups and national offices. The Adviser will be based in-country for an initial
period while new procedures are put into place and tested. A small team of long-term international
technical advisers will include regional police and judicial/prosecutorial experts. Short-term technical
inputs will cover, but not be limited to, law enforcement, transnational crime matters and targeted
research.
ARTIP will be working within a sector that is volatile and politicised. As a result the project is
regarded as a high-risk activity. Past experiences will be used to mitigate all risks and strategies will be
developed to mitigate the risks. There are two key risks that the project will need to mitigate 25 :
•Counterpart ownership of the Project will be increased in ARTIP through a range of measures such as
the devolution of certain responsibilities. Risks associated with this approach include a lack of capacity
for counterparts to take on additional responsibility and an adverse result may be a reduction in
commitment.
•The geographical expansion of ARTIP carries risks, as project expansion may impact on ARCPPT
achievements and relationships. Conversely, expansion brings more benefits than risks to project
countries, including a greater access to resolve bilateral issues and the opportunity to more broadly
share knowledge and experience.
Timor-Leste IOM/Alola Foundation - Halt Exploitation and Learn to Prosecute (HELP) Counter-
Trafficking Project
AusAID is currently considering funding a one year, USD$286,186 counter-trafficking project
in Timor-Leste with IOM and the Alola Foundation. 26 The project has been designed by IOM and the
Alola Foundation to: conduct training and awareness raising activities for police, lawyers, judiciary,
NGO and Dili-based embassy staff and Timorese consular officers and other relevant Government staff;
develop and implement a broad awareness raising campaign also targeting at-risk Timorese populations,
and transfer skills of IOM staff to Alola Foundation staff through a scheme of mentoring, close
coordination and joint planning.
If funded this Project would complement a number of other counter-trafficking initiatives
currently underway in Timor-Leste. Both the Alola Foundation and IOM will work toward the
ratification of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women
and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Crime 2000; the
development of a separate law in relation to trafficking that focuses on victim protection and
reintegration; and the finalisation of Standard Operating Procedures for the Immigration division of the
PNTL in relation to trafficking victims.
This project would establish a Women’s’ Legal Resource Centre (‘WLRC’) that would act as a
‘one-stop shop’ where women can receive legal advice, information and counselling in relation to a
number of issues, including domestic violence, sexual assault, other criminal matters, immigration,
employment disputes and human trafficking issues. Once operational, the WLRC would provide legal
advice and a referral service for trafficking victims. The WLRC would also provide ongoing advocacy
for trafficking victims.
25 Project Design Document: Asia Regional Trafficking In Persons, AusAID 2006, p5
26
Project Design Document: Timor-Leste IOM/Alola Foundation - Halt Exploitation and Learn to Prosecute
(HELP) Counter-Trafficking Project, AusAID 2006, p1
UNEAC Asia Papers No. 19 2007 98

It is intended that the project conduct extensive training and awareness-raising on the issue of
human trafficking within law enforcement agencies, the legal sector, civil society groups, other
government agencies and the broader public. Awareness-raising activities for the general public are also
expected to include components specifically designed for segments of the population at risk of being
trafficked from Timor-Leste for sexual or labour exploitation.
This paper has documented AusAID funded projects, a number of which have attracted world
renowned, significant results and success and has considered AusAIDs assessment of a project design
document for the Timor-Leste IOM/Alola Foundation - Halt Exploitation and Learn to Prosecute
(HELP) Counter-Trafficking Project. Things are thus set to change with the Federal Government’s
packages that are aimed at helping the victims and targeting the traffickers.
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Melinda Sutherland 99

Appendix A – Summary of ARCPPT achievements to date by area, country and year 27
Benefit Indicators
Quantity Year Description
1. Knowledge and skills of specialist criminal justice personnel
24 2005 Police trained in regional setting (MIC Course 2005)
9, 49, 25 2004,05,06 Cambodian investigators trained in generic and basic investigation skills
(English, BI, CSE)
57 2005 Cambodian investigators trained in specialist human trafficking investigation
skills
27 2006 Cambodian investigators who partook in the evaluation workshop (TED)
99, 62, 34 2003, 04, 05 Lao investigators trained in generic and basic investigation skills
48 2005 Lao investigators trained in specialist human trafficking investigation skills
21 2005 Lao investigators trained as trainers
30 2006 Lao investigators who partook in the evaluation workshop (TED)
35, 36, 28 2003, 04, 05 Myanmar investigators trained in generic and basic investigation skills
36 2004 Myanmar investigators trained in generic and basic investigation skills
28 2005 Myanmar investigators trained in generic and basic investigation skills
36, 28 2004, 2005 Myanmar investigators trained in specialist human trafficking investigation
skills
26 2005 Myanmar investigators trained as trainers
29 2006 Myanmar investigators who partook in the evaluation workshop (TED)
17 2005 Thai investigators trained in basic skills [DSI]
34, 23 2005, 06 Thai investigators trained in specialist human trafficking investigation skills
[DSI + RTP]
22 2006 Thai investigators trained as trainers
6 2006 Thai investigators who partook in the evaluation workshop (TED)
24 2004 Indonesian investigators trained in specialist skills
2006 Indonesian investigators participating in refresher training (TBC – training
held after due date of draft)
25 2004, 05, 06 Australian investigators trained per AFP courses (approximate)
77.43% 2003 – 06 Percentage of male trainees
22.57% 2003 - 06 Percentage of female trainees
5 2003 - 2006 Training manuals / guides developed and translated for Cambodia
4 2003 - 2006 Training manuals / guides developed and translated for Lao PDR
4 2003 - 2006 Training manuals / guides developed and translated for Myanmar
4 2003 - 2006 Training manuals / guides developed and / or translated for Thailand
2 2004 Training manuals / guides developed and translated for Indonesia
1 2003 Guides translated for China
1 2004 Guides translated for Vietnam
2. Specialist structures
3 2003, 04, Units established with project support (L, M, T)
05-6
4 2003 – 06 Units provided with equipment and technical support (C, L, M, T)
27 Asia Regional Cooperation to Prevent People Trafficking: Activity Completion Report to AusAID, 2006,
Appendix A
UNEAC Asia Papers No. 19 2007 100

Benefit Indicators
Quantity Year Description
1 2006 Unit Terms of Reference (TORs) completed (L)
3. Knowledge and skills of non-specialist CJ personnel
38 2004 Participants in regional CJS-VSA workshop
35 2005 Judges and prosecutors trained in regional setting
132, 239,
389
2003, 04, 05 Cambodian police/ prosecutors / judges trained (1, 3, 4 workshops ea. year
respectively)
105 2004 Lao general police / prosecutors / judges trained (6 workshops)
98, 282,
116
2004, 05, 06 Myanmar general police/prosecutors /judges trained (2, 4, 2 workshops ea.
year respectively)
4. Laws and legal procedures
3 2004 – 06 Specialist trafficking laws drafted with project input (C, L, M)
2 2004, 05 Specialist trafficking laws finalised with project support (L, M)
3 2004 – 06 Other supporting laws and procedures drafted with project input (C)
1 2004 Other supporting laws and procedures drafted with project input (L)
4 04-06 National legal compilations produced (website)
1 04-06 Regional legal compilations produced (website)
5. National cooperation
2 2003 Technical working groups established (C, M)
1 2004-06 Donor/Technical advice groups co-founded and coordinated (C)
1 2005-06 National cooperation MOUs developed (C)
1 2006 National consultation workshops on trafficking (L)
1 2004 National conferences co-organised (C)
6 2004-06 Cambodian workshops on bilateral MOUs (C-T, C-Vietnam)
1 2004 Study on cooperation between VSAs and CJS in all Project countries
complete and translated
1 2003 Study on gender, trafficking and the CJS in Cambodia complete and
translated
1 2003 (rev.
06)
Study on gender, trafficking and the CJS in Lao PDR complete and
translated
1 2003 Study on gender, trafficking and the CJS in Myanmar complete and
translated
1 2005 Study on gender, trafficking and the CJS in Thailand complete
6. Bilateral/regional cooperation
3 2004, 05 MOUs finalised with project input (T-L, COMMIT, C-Vietnam)
1, 1 2005, 06 Bilateral meetings held with Project support: L & T
1 2005 Bilateral meetings held with Project support: M & T
1 2005 Bilateral meetings held with Project support: C & T
1, 1 2005, 06 Bilateral meetings held with Project support: C & M
1 2005 Bilateral meetings held with Project support: M and China
2, 4, 1 04, 05, 06 Heads of Specialist Unit meetings between 4 countries (3 senior police from
each country)
1 2005 Operations procedures manual developed and agreed to by all specialist units
1 2005 Regional training delivered on implementation of above manual [Also
covered in indicator 1]
Melinda Sutherland 101

Benefit Indicators
Quantity Year Description
5 2005 Cross-border investigations supported (C-T)
2, 4 2004, 05 Cross-border investigations supported (L-T)
7. Regional policy development
1, 1, 1 2003, 04, 05 SOMTC/AWC meetings attended
1, 1 2003, 05 ASEC/ARCPPT work plans developed and implemented
1 2005-06 ASEAN studies completed
30 2003 – 06 Keynote speeches, lectures and presentations as resource person by TL
24 2003 - 06 Workshops/courses organised by others using Project staff (excl. TL) as
resource persons
2 2005 COMMIT training courses involving project
1 2005 International conferences organised with assistance from ARCPPT
UNEAC Asia Papers No. 19 2007 102